Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-01

him suddenly, you might have detected a
look of deep syness on his face but this
would instantly disappear, and the frank
expression which took its place would
leave you in doubt whether you had not
been mistaken.
Mr.. Grady began life as a small boy run
ming about the streets of New York. Regu-
lar education he mad none, but he con
| trived to pick up good deal of useful, if
| prOmiscuouS, information. His parents
were Irish, and by no means in afliuent
circumstances They were unable to give
! their son start in life but, as compen-
sation, they had endowed him conformity
with the faculty of making a start for
! himself Not far from where he lived was
The establishment of house painter, and
! John, having ingratated himself with the
owner by some such trifling services as
| boys can render, was thereafter permit
ted the freedom of the shop. He watched
the men at their work to such good pur-
pose that when, one day he asked and re-
ceived permission to try his hand at bit
of job which happened to be left untin-
| ished he acquitted himself so well that
the painter agreed to give him employ
ment. He speedily attained excellence in
this trade, and he likewise improved the
opportunity of becoming acquainted with
book keeping and the rudiments of bust
ness: Had he gone on as he began he
would, no doubt, have finally succeeded
to the shop and the good L."
But fate had another destiny in store for
John. One Saturday afternoon, having
received his wages, he put on his best
clothes and started out, with money in his
pocket, to enjoy himself He was not II
| drinker, nor given to excuses of any
kind ; but he liked to be among a lively
crowd, to listen to the conversation and
to pick up ideas. He repaired to a saloon
| on the east side of the city, called for a
| glass of beer, and while he sipped it gave
ear to a heated discussion which was in
progress regarding the comparative merits
of two well known pugilists Both the
disputants were a little the worse for Ii
quor, and the bystanders were laughing
and egging them on. All of a sudden one
of them struck the other blow in the
face. A short but savage fight ensued,
ending III the other party falling against
the bar and hitting his head on the pre-
| jecting corner with such violence as to
destroy his further interest in the pro-
| ceedingS.
Hereupon the victor, elated with his
triumph, began to rUfiie his feathers and
vaunt himself, and declared that he would
serve in similar manner whomsover
should venture to question the accuracy
of his pugilistic judgment.
Now Grady happened to know this fell
low, and to entertain II contempt for both
his mental and physical qualities. Dis
gusted at the absurd pretensions of the
| youth, he therefore departed from his Gus
tomary line of conduct, and. speaking on
| the spur of the moment, said : Jim
Brady, you're a fool You didn't lick that
| fellow he licked himself, and it's lucky
| for you he did ~
In the depths of his heart Jim Brady
perhaps regretted that John was in the
room but he had now gone too tar to re-
treat, and he reflected that, although
| stoutly built, his antagonist was four or
| five inches shorter than himself and had
- 81
| ingly he stepped up to him with bully
ing air and remarked "P'raps you think
you can lick me yerself ?'
II don't fight" replied John 4; but it
don't need no tighter to do for you"
"You don't fight, don't yer ?" returned
Jim, feeling emboldened, well, yer
| talks too much, any way, so here's some
| thin to shut yer mouth and he aimed a
back handed blow at him.
John parted it and rose promptly to his
| feet
Now, boys" exclaimed the bartender,
who had been in the ring himself and
whose command was law. you stop right
there There amt agoin to be no more
| tightn' in this bar-room. If you want to
have quiet turnup, there's the back
| yard. Nobody won't interfere with You
there and" he added, after moments
! pause, IF you're in earnest, I'll put up a
flyer on the little 'un with any man here,
and stand by to see fair play ~
"Jim," said John, tnrusting his hand in
his trousers pocket, "Ill bet you so my
self that can lick you, and there's the
money ~ and he laid the bills on the
| counter.
At this there was much rejoicing and
uproar among the spectators, who at once
took sides in the matter and hurried the
combatants into the back yard. A heap
of empty beer kegs and other rubbish was
quickly moved out of the way and a ring
no "A L,,,
so about him, borrowed that sum of a
hacker, secretly wondering whether he
should be able to pay him back. John
was quiet, but apparently confident. The
bartender took him aside and asked him
whether he knew how to use his hands :
Johns reply not being entirely satisfac
tory, his friend proceeded rapidly to in.
still into him few fundamental prlnci
pies, adding: "pll give you knee and
if you do as tell you your win your
money and mine too"
| Every thing being IN readiness, the men
faced each other for an opening. After
a moment jim led with his right and got
home lightly on his opponents forehead
John at almost the same instant delivered
Il swinging blow at the others ribs, which
though partly parted, made him vince
Jim then rushed to close quarters, but
here Johns superior weight and com
, pactness gave him the advantage. Per
ceiving this, Jim stepped back and landed
smart hit on the eye, and Johns coun
| ter fell short He attempted to clos,
again, when time was called, and tn,
, men went to their corners. Although
/ Jim had technically the best of the round
John seemed much the fresher of the two
as well as the more eager to get to worl
again.
Hit straight, and hit for his body kee
yer head down, an he can't hurt yer,
+ said the bartender, in Johns ear "You'v
E got twice his wind keep cool, and you'll
a have him."
Round 2.-Jim forced the fighting, AM
got home repeatedly, but could hit moth
t ing but Johns shoulders and the top @
t his head. John, on the other hand, mad
scarcely any attempt to protect himself
but kept steadily shooting out first wit
. one arm and then the other at his antagC
u nist's chest, ribs and stomach. Many c
i these blows fell short, but those that lane
: ed did execution. AT last Jim made
q desperate rush with his head down, il
> tending to catch the other round the wais
d and fling him over his head. John, at
/ loss for an instant. instinctively drew up hi
h his knee it caught Jim under his chin
- making his teeth rattle like a dice box an